Universal Studios Japan Update: Harry Potter and Halloween

We are thrilled to introduce you to our new Universal Studios Osaka correspondent, Katie Fujihara, who will be covering Universal Studios Osaka for MiceChat.com. She has lots of fun things to share with us.

Hello MiceChat! My name is Katie, and I am currently studying abroad in Kobe, Japan. I have been given the task of providing updates and information about Universal Studios Japan as often as possible. This past Sunday, I finally had time to go to the park after taking about a month to fully get used to my new home.

Surprise Halloween

You might be surprised to learn that over at Universal Studios Japan, they have two Halloween celebrations. During the day, guests will find a Surprise Halloween Celebration with cheerful decorations, amazing colorful food, and a Carvivale/Mardi Gras-esq parade with your favorite Sesame Street, Snoopy, Hello Kitty Characters throwing beads, and dancing to the music in a 40 minute long parade/street show.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

I knew that I absolutely had to go to Universal Studios Japan (or USJ) as soon as possible to avoid the Halloween crowds, but at the same time, be able to participate in the Halloween festivities. Before walking into the park, I was able to snap some photos of the “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” which is currently undergoing construction. The structure of Hogwarts is clearly visible.

Now, if you have never been to a Japanese theme park, you have to keep in mind that it is about three times as crowded as an American one. The average wait time for rides was between 2-3 hours, some E-ticket rides even got to 4-5 hours. The wait for the bathroom (women’s) is about 15 minutes on average as well. Even food carts had about 20 minute line. That being said, I was able to maneuver around the park for 13 hours without major obstacles.

Halloween Horror Nights OSAKA

Due to it being October, after 6:00pm, the park is transformed into a humongous horror park known as Halloween Horror Night. Various attractions are adjusted to have a Halloween theme including Jurassic Park, Jaws, Backdraft, etc. Three restaurants in the park also partake in the festivities. There is Jason’s Blood Diner, Dark Restaurant, and the Happiness Café becomes a playground for Sadako from The Ring. The two other restaurants had about a three-hour wait, so I decided to dine with Sadako for 1,990 yen (about $20). After you eat, Sadako goes around the restaurant terrorizing guests.

Another big aspect of Halloween Horror Night are the zombies and survivors running around the park. There are different stations scattered around the park where you can see zombie and survivor fights and interactions. It was actually a very neat experience.

The newest addition to USJ is their “Biohazard: A Real” attraction. I wasn’t able to ride this attraction because apparently you need a specific ticket to get into it due to popular demand. Apparently you are given a fake gun with limited ammo and you run around shooting “zombies” that are coming after you. I hope to be able to do this attraction, but it is for a limited time only.

BACKDROP

For a limited time, guests at Universal Studios Japan, can ride the Hollywood Dream Roller Coaster backwards, in what Universal is calling “Backdrop”

FOOD

During the Surprise Halloween event, guests can enjoy some special “spooky food” that will be a treat for all the sense.

Sweet Potato Waffle

Seriously isn’t this Sweet Potato Waffle adorable!

I hope you enjoyed this little USJ Halloween update!

Meet Universal Studios OASAKA

Now we take this time to introduce you to the rest of the park that we will be covering for you at least once a month. You will see a lot that of the surroundings look vaguely similar to Universal Studios Florida, but with bits of Universal Hollywood thrown in. Enjoy!

Thank you for taking time to enjoy our Universal Studios Japan update brought to you by our new correspondent Katie Fujihara. Please let us know in the comments below about what you think about Halloween Horror Nights, Surprise Halloween, the food, and Harry Potter construction happening at Universal Studios Japan!

For more Universal Studios Park news, rumors and information, listen to the Unofficial Universal Podcast with Lee, Tracey and Darren as they talk about Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando, and Hollywood with special guest Norm Gidney